US3867716A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Relative movement system having alarm means
Assignee: Honeywell Inc
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Filing: 1973-05-22
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Granted: 1975-02-18
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Expires: 1993-05-22
Abstract
Abstract A primary beam of light is directed on a pair of photosensitive elements. Relative movement causes the beam to move with respect to the photosensitive elements. The movement of the beam actuates a restorative means which repositions the beam at its initial position. The extent of movement of the restorative means indicates the amount of primary beam movement. The improvement of this invention is an alarm means which assumes a malfunctionindicating condition when the primary beam is extinguished or and when the primary beam is displaced from its initial position by a distance greater than the small excursions of movement experienced during normal operations. In the disclosed embodiment, an alarm-actuating means includes a photosensitive element located in the path of a secondary beam of light which emanates from the same source and moves concurrently with the primary beam.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul B King
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 02:21
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05D; G05D3/00; G05D3/12; G05D3/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
234 words
In an apparatus for sensing relative movement between a pair of bodies, said apparatus having a pair of photosensitive elements, means for directing a primary beam of light onto both of said photosensitive elements, said primary beam having a null position where the quantities of light striking said photosensitive elements are balanced in a given ratio, means for moving the primary beam through small excursions in response to relative movement between said bodies to change the ratio of light striking the photosensitive elements, restorative means responsive to signals from the photosensitive elements for moving the bodies to reestablish the balanced condition where the quantities of light striking the photosensitive element are in said given ratio, an improvement comprising an alarm means for indicating malfunction of the apparatus, said alarm means including a malfunction signalling means having a normal operational condition and a malfunction-indicating condition, and alarm actuating means for shifting the alarm means to its malfunction-indicating condition in response to displacement of the primary beam beyond a predetermined limit of said small excursions, said alarm actuating means includes a circuit having an alarm-actuating photosensitive element, means for directing a secondary beam of light on the alarmactuating photosensitive element only when the primary beam of light is at a distance less than said predetermined limit of said small excursions from its null position, said means for moving the primary beam also moving the secondary beam.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
234 words
In an apparatus for sensing relative movement between a pair of bodies, said apparatus having a pair of photosensitive elements, means for directing a primary beam of light onto both of said photosensitive elements, said primary beam having a null position where the quantities of light striking said photosensitive elements are balanced in a given ratio, means for moving the primary beam through small excursions in response to relative movement between said bodies to change the ratio of light striking the photosensitive elements, restorative means responsive to signals from the photosensitive elements for moving the bodies to reestablish the balanced condition where the quantities of light striking the photosensitive element are in said given ratio, an improvement comprising an alarm means for indicating malfunction of the apparatus, said alarm means including a malfunction signalling means having a normal operational condition and a malfunction-indicating condition, and alarm actuating means for shifting the alarm means to its malfunction-indicating condition in response to displacement of the primary beam beyond a predetermined limit of said small excursions, said alarm actuating means includes a circuit having an alarm-actuating photosensitive element, means for directing a secondary beam of light on the alarmactuating photosensitive element only when the primary beam of light is at a distance less than said predetermined limit of said small excursions from its null position, said means for moving the primary beam also moving the secondary beam.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
118 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for directing a primary beam of light includes an illumination means and a primary baffle interposed between said illumination means and said pair of photosensitive elements, said primary baffle having a light-pervious area which forms the primary beam, said primary baffle being movable by the restorative means and the means for directing a secondary beam includes a baffle portion interposed between said illumination means and the alarm-actuating photosensitive element, said baffle portion having a light-pervious area for directing the secondary beam on the alarm-actuating photosensitive element only when the primary beam of light is at a distance less than said predetermined limit of said small excursions from its null position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said primary and secondary baffles are concurrently movable and are immovable with respect to each other.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1 having aneroid bellows means for moving the primary beam of light whereby the apparatus functions as an altimeter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 4 having indicating means for indicating the amount of movement of the restorative means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the indicating means provides an altitude input indication to an altitude-indicating transMitter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the indicating means provides an altitude input indication to an autopilot system.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
134 words
In a photometric altimeter system having means for directing a light beam from a light source onto a pair of photosensitive elements, said means directing said light on said photosensitive elements in a predetermined ratio, altitude responsive means for moving the light beam relative to said photosensitive elements to change the ratio of light striking said photosensitive elements, means responsive to the changed ratio for moving the beam of light to reestablish said predetermined ratio, the improvement comprising a malfunction alarm system including means independent of said balanced bridge circuit for producing an alarm signal, said means for producing an alarm signal being responsive to and actuated by relative movement of the beam beyond a predetermined limit, and means responsive to said alarm signal for indicating an alarm condition in said photometric altimeter system.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
134 words
In a photometric altimeter system having means for directing a light beam from a light source onto a pair of photosensitive elements, said means directing said light on said photosensitive elements in a predetermined ratio, altitude responsive means for moving the light beam relative to said photosensitive elements to change the ratio of light striking said photosensitive elements, means responsive to the changed ratio for moving the beam of light to reestablish said predetermined ratio, the improvement comprising a malfunction alarm system including means independent of said balanced bridge circuit for producing an alarm signal, said means for producing an alarm signal being responsive to and actuated by relative movement of the beam beyond a predetermined limit, and means responsive to said alarm signal for indicating an alarm condition in said photometric altimeter system.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-02-17 | 1978-08-19 | 1979-02-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-02-17 | 1982-08-19 | 1983-02-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-02-17 | 1986-08-19 | 1987-02-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |